OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It will be business as usual Sept. 17 as there won’t be any changes behind the dais at the Ocala City Council chambers.

The City of Ocala Special General Election held Sept 16, 2025, saw Mayor Ben Marciano soundly defeat political newcomer Zackary “Arbor” Feliciano, and incumbent councilman Jay Musleh hold off the challenges of TamBoura Jenkins and Mark Clark, to retain his seat in District no. 3. Barry Mansfield, Dist. no. 1 and Jim Hilty Sr., Dist. no. 5, ran unopposed during this election cycle.

The election was originally scheduled for Sept 16, but became a special election because after a review by the City of Ocala’s attorney and clerk, in consultation with the Marion County Supervisor of Elections, they determined that none of the candidates who had turned in their paperwork had complied with requirement of Florida law, as it pertains to the payment of their qualifying fee.

Voter turnout was low, with only 11.56% of the city’s 33,301 registered voters casting ballots.

Marciano who was seeking his second term, having run unopposed previously, was reelected by a wide margin, and will return to his Mayoral seat. Marciano won handily, capturing 84.03% of the votes in the special general election, with 3,204 voters casting their ballots for the incumbent mayor.

  • Zackary “Arbor” Feliciano, 15.97%, 609 votes
  • Ben Marciano, 84.03%, 3.204 votes
“It feels great, I love this community, I love serving,” said Marciano. “I feel like God put me here for a reason. I feel like I accomplished a lot in the last few years, but now that I have an understanding of the role, I think I can be a lot more effective in the next two years. I’m excited to get to work, and to make an even bigger impact in the next few years.”

Musleh who has served as a city councilman for the past 13 years, was initially not going to seek reelection, but after the window of opportunity presented itself, with the incorrect filings, he decided to throw his hat back into the ring and run for the seat he has occupied for more than a decade, beginning his time on council in 2012 to fill an unexpired term.

Musleh won reelection with 52.73% of the vote, Clark captured 26.63 and Jenkins 20.65 in the race for council seat District no. 3.

  • Mark W. Clark, 26.63%, 1006 votes
  • TamBoura Jenkins, 20.65%, 780 votes
  • Jay A. Musleh, 52.73%, 1,992 votes

“I’m very thankful to the citizens, it’s a long process, I’m glad it’s over, and I’m very thankful to be able to serve another four years for the citizens of the City of Ocala,” said Musleh.

Here’s the previous 352today articles relating to the City of Ocala Special Election.

Special Election to be held for Ocala mayor and council seats as none of the candidates qualify – 352today

Ocala city council votes unanimously to hold special election Sept. 16 – 352today